How to Prepare Your Home for a New Kitten

Start before pickup day

Preparing for a new kitten starts before pickup day. A safe space, familiar supplies and a manageable routine make the first days easier for both you and your kitten. If you are welcoming a kitten from TMZ Kittenz N Katz, confirm the go-home date first. Kittens go home between 11 and 16 weeks, and 12 weeks is the average. Then work through the steps below so you can focus on your kitten when it arrives.

Set up a safe room

Choose one quiet room, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom, where your kitten can settle in. Put the litter box, food, water, a soft bed and a few toys inside. A small space helps a kitten feel secure and makes it easy to find the litter box. After a few days, expand access room by room.

Supplies to buy ahead

A shallow litter box and the type of litter your kitten already uses. Our kittens are litter box trained, so keeping the same litter helps. Buy two food bowls, a water bowl, a scratching post, a few soft toys and a fishing-pole toy for play with you. Pick up a sturdy carrier for vet visits, a brush, nail clippers and a bed.

Ask us what food your kitten has been eating. Kittens go home with a sample of food, and feeding the same food at first keeps their stomach settled.

Kitten-proof the house

Kittens explore with their mouths and paws. Tuck away electrical cords, secure window screens, close toilet lids and keep small items such as rubber bands, thread and hair ties out of reach. Check that houseplants are safe, since some common plants, including lilies, are toxic to cats. Block gaps behind appliances where a small kitten could hide.

Plan the vet visit

Choose a veterinarian before pickup and book an exam soon after your kitten arrives. Bring any paperwork we give you, including the Sales and Health Agreement. Your vet will set up vaccinations and a care plan.

Prepare your family and other pets

Explain gentle handling to children, such as sitting on the floor and letting the kitten come to them. If you have a dog or another cat, keep them apart at first, swap scents with a blanket, and introduce them slowly with supervision.

A simple shopping list

Here is a compact list you can print: a litter box and litter; food and water bowls; the kitten's current food; a bed or soft blanket; a scratching post; a handful of toys; a brush; nail clippers; a carrier; enzyme cleaner for accidents; and a few safe chew-friendly toys. Buy quality items you will not need to replace in a month.

Choose the right litter setup

Place the litter box in a quiet, easy-to-reach corner away from food and water. Use a shallow box so a small kitten can climb in, and scoop at least once a day. Kittens at TMZ go home litter box trained, and using the same style of litter helps them keep the habit. If you change litter, do it gradually.

Create places to climb and scratch

Kittens love to climb. A sturdy cat tree, a window perch and a scratching post help them burn off energy and save your furniture. Put a scratching post near where the kitten sleeps because cats like to stretch and scratch after waking up. Reward the kitten with praise when it uses the post.

Daily routine for the first month

Cats thrive on routine. Offer meals at the same times each day, schedule short play sessions in the morning and evening, and keep a quiet bedtime. Play sessions with a fishing-pole toy help bond with your kitten and use up energy before bed. Handle your kitten gently every day, touching paws, ears and mouth so grooming and vet visits are easier later.

Travel and vet visit essentials

Choose a carrier with a top opening and a removable top, line it with a soft towel, and leave it out so your kitten gets used to it. Bring a list of questions to the first vet visit, including vaccination schedule, parasite control, spay or neuter timing and feeding amounts.

Common first-week questions

My kitten is hiding. Is that normal? Yes, a few hours of hiding is common. Give it time and keep the room calm.

How much should my kitten sleep? Young kittens sleep a great deal between bursts of play. If your kitten seems unusually tired or refuses food, call your veterinarian.

When can my kitten explore the house? After a few days, once it uses the litter box reliably and seems confident, open one more room at a time.

Final check before the big day

Walk through every room at kitten height. Look for cords, small objects, open cabinets and places a kitten could get stuck. Put away anything breakable that you care about. Make sure the safe room has everything your kitten needs. A calm, prepared home makes the transition easier for everyone.

Pickup or shipping day

Bring a carrier and a blanket if you are collecting your kitten in person. If your kitten is shipped, make sure someone is home to receive the courier. Your kitten travels in an airline-approved carrier with a sample of food. Take your kitten straight home and keep the first evening calm.

If you have questions, contact us or see our FAQ. Looking for a kitten? Visit our Kittens page.